Question : Food Adulteration

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of food samples collected under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for the purpose of testing in Food laboratories during the last three years, State/UT-wise;

(b) the number of these samples found to be adulterated/not in conformity with the prescribed standards along with the action taken against the guilty during the said period;

(c) whether the Government has constituted a special cell under the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) to keep a check on adulteration in milk and dairy products;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the extent to which the special cell has been able to keep a check on adulteration in milk and dairy products?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a) & (b): As per the information made available by State/UT Governments to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the state-wise details of samples of food articles collected, tested, found not conforming to the prescribed standards and action taken during last three years, are at Annexure-I, II & III.

(c) to (e): In order to pay a focused attention to the adulteration of milk and milk products, a special cell has been created in the FSSAI. The FSSAI had organized an interface between the wholesale consumers of milk and milk products including major mithaiwalas, and testing equipment/ kit manufacturers to ensure the quality of milk and milk products used/ purchased/ supplied by them. After shortlisting by the Special Cell, the FSSAI has in the month of April, 2016, distributed rapid milk testing equipment [Electronic Milk Adulteration Tester (EMAT) with Milk Analyser] to three States/UTs i.e. Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and UT of Chandigarh on pilot basis. The Cell is presently coordinating with the States to check adulteration of milk and milk products.